My i-130 was approved and my case sent to NVC after 8 months.

It only happened on 08th August but was curious how long it will be before we hear what we have to do next? I guess it is sponsorship next then after this my interview and medical.

Any idea from this point how long it could be before I have my VISA in hand? I guess the longest part was the initial application approval which took 8 months to get to this point.

I keep checking he USCIS site but it just says :-

On August 8, 2018, we sent your case, Receipt Number LIN********, to the Department of State for visa processing. You can find general information on Consular Processing by visiting our website at www.uscis.gov . The website will provide information on what to do next, who to contact, and how to inform us of any changes in your situation or address.

Cheers

Stu

As you are no doubt aware every case is different. My initial I-130 went to Texas who are quick to approve, but slow to forward to NVC.

My I-130 was approved 16th December 2017, NVC received my paperwork 26th January 2018,I got my visa in hand 29th May 2018.

I believe that NVC accepts electronic submission now for UK applications, which should speed things up a little.

Hope this helps.

Any ideas guys of people who have been through this recently.

How long does it take for them to get back in touch. Is the next procedure the sponsorship then medical and interview?

Hi, as StuBear65 mentioned there is no fixed schedule, but if you haven't seen it already this thread with people's timelines should help in getting some idea on next steps and time frames: https://britishexpats.com/forum/marriage-based-visas-35/immigrant-visa-i-130-filed-usa-timeline-only-843613/

Also, of course, the official guide on the next steps: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process.html

Congrats on your approved petition!

Thank you.

So I have to choose an agent to represent me? I do not think I need to use one as will just do all the forms myself?

It also says a DS-2601 is to be done? Can I start this now or will the NVC contact me on what the next step is?

The agent is just the person who will receive communication from the NVC, you can nominate yourself as the agent. From the website I linked: "Your agent will receive communication from the NVC about your case. You may act as your own agent or you may choose your petitioner, a family member, friend, attorney, immigration professional, or any other person you trust."

No, I would wait for the NVC Welcome Letter before starting the next steps. It doesn't hurt to look up the forms and familiarise yourself with them though.

You need your NVC case number and your invoice ID number before you can do anything else, I chose my wife as my agent, so all the correspondence went to her in the USA.

Once you have chosen you agent, you will be able to pay the fees for the affidavit of support and IV, you will then be able to fill out the DS-260 and submit it.

Once that is done you can upload the other documentation required.

Once you case is complete with NVC an interview appointment is sent to you, at this point you can book your medical.

This is a good thread to follow Our CR1 visa timeline/journey!

Hi Stu,

So it took about 2 weeks from the USCIS approval to get the approved I-130 petition over to the NVC and then another 3 weeks to get the case number, as the UK is now PIVOT (electronically uploaded) everything is moving faster than a few months ago.

On the 23rd August we submitted all the documents and AOS info and we are now just waiting for the CC (case complete) so fingers are tightly crossed there are no mistakes!.. I have seen other PIVOT cases taking around a week for the CC and when that happens I will book the medical and roughly another week after that I should get a scheduled interview date.. Technically you shouldn't book the medical until you have the interview date but many people have had the interview date before the medical and this will cause a delay.

All of this is an approximate timeline but you get the gist!

If I was you I would be calling the NVC now to make sure that your petition has been received, once received I would start calling every day after 2 weeks to get your case number.

Cheers
T

Cheers guys.

I just called the NVC and they said they received my file from USCIS on 10th August. He said it would be 8 weeks before it is entered into the system and my case number will only be available when it's been posted out.

So with me being in the UK would my agent be my wife in the US? I take it this is just for correspondance and I could put my email down for all electronic correspondance etc?

Yes, it is wise for her to be your agent. She is the one who will be interacting with them, not you, for the affidavit of support, etc.

The agent can be anyone you choose. I'd say your wife would be an excellent choice. I guess you could use your email address if you want, but you'd have to forward it to her to take action. Why not just use hers?

Rene

You do not fill out the DS-261 choice of agent anymore with it being online processing so you skip that part and go straight to paying the two fees. If you put yours and your spouses email addresses on the initial form then the NVC will email correspondence to both of you which is what they did with mine.

EdgeAA, thank you for the updated information!

Rene

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Oh, that's good to hear. I was wary from the conversation above that I'd have to assign my husband (the USC) as the agent when I know I'm the more organised one and check my email more often lol.

When was London changed to the PIVOT system? Anyone know?

It was around when my i-130 got approved in May I believe. They initially put my file in the non electronic processing pile only to then change it to the electronic processing pile when it got reviewed. This meant it took me 13 weeks to get a case number as they reviewed it after 8 weeks and then put it back at the bottom of the other pile.